| Acknowledgments | xi |
| Introduction | xiii |
| Section I |
| 1 | Overview of the Work-at-Home Industry | 1 |
| What Will You Call Yourself? | |
| Entrepreneurial Moms and Dads | |
| Home Businesses Then and Now | |
| The Importance of Trends | |
| The Restructuring of the Workforce | |
| Who's Working at Home and Why | |
| 2 | Homework Myths, Scams, and Unprofitable Ideas | 17 |
| Work-at-Home Misconceptions | |
| Mail Order "Get Rich" Schemes | |
| Work-at-Home/Home-Business "Opportunities" | |
| Scams Against Business Owners | |
| Ten Money-Making Ideas That Violate Copyright Law | |
| The Celebrity Rights Act | |
| 3 | Assessing Your Personal Situation | 43 |
| Are You a Good Home-Business Candidate? | |
| Your Opportunities for Learning | |
| Why Business May Fail | |
| Identifying Special Skills and Talents | |
| Why People Avoid "Business" | |
| Why People Fear Success | |
| Is Something Holding You Back? | |
| Home-Business Pros and Cons | |
| "Self-Employed Individuals" vs. "Entrepreneurs" | |
| Taking a Chance on Yourself | |
| Why Businesses May Fail | |
| Overcoming Your Fear of the Unknown | |
| 4 | Selecting the Right Type of Business for You | 69 |
| Two Basic Kinds of Business | |
| Arts and Crafts Businesses | |
| Product-Oriented Businesses | |
| Service-Oriented "At-Home" Businesses | |
| Service-Oriented "From-Home" Businesses | |
| Mail Order Businesses | |
| Direct Sales Businesses | |
| MLM/Network Marketing | |
| Home-Business Franchises | |
| Summary | |
| 5 | Brainstorming the Perfect Home Business Idea | 93 |
| Read, Listen, and Observe | |
| Keeping Technology in Mind | |
| Find a Need and Fill It | |
| Do What You Love | |
| Build on What You Know and Do Best | |
| Making Money in the Country | |
| Country Businesses Idea Checklist | |
| Starting a Business on the World Wide Web | |
| Change Is Part of the Picture | |
| 6 | Profiting from Your Special Expertise and Know-How | 117 |
| Writing for Money and Recognition | |
| Profits from Publishing | |
| Money in Your Mouth | |
| Teaching Others What You Know | |
| Offering Your Knowledge Through Consulting | |
| 7 | Positioning Yourself for Success | 135 |
| To Be Legal or Not--That Is the Question | |
| Selecting a Business Name | |
| Projecting a Professional Image | |
| Developing a Mindset for Business and Financial Success | |
| 8 | Planning Your Moves | 149 |
| Writing a Business Plan | |
| Your Financial Plan | |
| The Many Hats of Business | |
| Doing Market Research | |
| Outline for a Simple Marketing Plan | |
| Home-Business Start-Up Checklist | |
| 9 | Developing Necessary Printed Materials | 167 |
| Designing Your Own Printed Materials | |
| Business Card Design and Copy Tips | |
| Brochure Design Considerations | |
| A Crash Course in Working with Printers | |
| 10 | Pricing Guidelines for Business Beginners | 177 |
| The Value of Your Time | |
| Buying Materials Wholesale | |
| Bringing Overhead Into the Picture | |
| How to Quote a Job | |
| Pricing Formulas for Product Sellers | |
| Industry Pricing Guidelines | |
| 11 | Learning to Use the Latest Computer Technology | 195 |
| The Computer's Role in Your Business | |
| Learning Later in Life | |
| Your Computer Learning Option | |
| Analyzing Your Current Computer System | |
| Software Considerations | |
| The Personal Benefits of Computer Ownership | |
| 12 | Maintaining Control | 211 |
| Blending Business into Your Personal Lifestyle | |
| Working Around--and with--Your Children | |
| Time Management Tips | |
| Organizational and Stress Management Strategies | |
| Talking to Yourself | |
| Sources of Help and Encouragement | |
| Epilogue | 229 |
| Section II |
| A-to-Z "Crash Course" in Home Business Basics | 235 |
| Other Resources | 313 |
| Books | 313 |
| Home Business Small Business Organizations | 319 |
| Support Networks on the Web | 320 |
| Selected Web Sites with Good Content | 320 |
| Book Contributors | 326 |
